The Clark Fork is the largest river by volume in Montana. Above Missoula, it is a meandering meadow stream. Below Missoula, it becomes a massive, powerful river. It is a dry-fly fisherman's paradise, known for its prolific hatches of PMDs, hoppers, and Mahoganies. Pods of rising fish can be found in the back eddies during a strong hatch.
Open-source photograph
Missoula sits at the confluence of three legendary trout rivers — the Clark Fork, the Blackfoot, and the Bitterroot — making it one of the premier fly fishing destinations in the American West. Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It was set on these waters, and the fishing here lives up to the literary reputation. With 28 public fishing access sites and 13 lakes within 30 miles, Missoula offers year-round angling opportunities for every skill level. For Montana's fly fishing heritage and the Skwala hatch, see our Fly Fishing Guide. For the full city profile, see our Missoula guide.
The Clark Fork flows directly through downtown Missoula, making it the most accessible river in the region. It's a large freestone river with good populations of rainbow and brown trout. The reach from Milltown downstream through the city offers wading opportunities right in town. Below Missoula, the river widens and is best fished from a drift boat. The Clark Fork has benefited enormously from the Milltown Dam removal (completed 2008), which restored connectivity with the Blackfoot River and improved fish passage and habitat.
The Blackfoot joins the Clark Fork about 8 miles east of Missoula and is the river immortalized in A River Runs Through It. It's a classic Montana freestone stream — clear water running through pine-forested canyon and open meadow. The Blackfoot holds healthy populations of westslope cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Conservation efforts over the past two decades have significantly improved fish numbers, and catch-and-release regulations on certain stretches help maintain the fishery.
The Bitterroot flows north through the Bitterroot Valley and joins the Clark Fork at the west end of Missoula. It's an excellent dry-fly river with prolific hatches from spring through fall. The Bitterroot is particularly productive during salmon fly season (late June) and the fall brown trout spawning run. Access is good throughout the valley, with numerous fishing access sites maintained by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
| River | Distance from Missoula |
|---|---|
| Clark Fork River | Through town |
| Blackfoot River | 23 mi |
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks maintains public fishing access sites throughout the Missoula area. These provide free public access to rivers and streams, typically with parking, boat ramps or walk-in access, and sometimes restroom facilities.
While Missoula is best known for its river fishing, the surrounding mountains hold 13 lakes within 30 miles. Many are alpine or sub-alpine lakes accessible by trail, offering solitude and the chance to catch native westslope cutthroat trout in stunning settings. Placid Lake and Seeley Lake (both about 30 miles northeast) are popular drive-to options with developed access and boat ramps.
| Lake | Distance from Missoula |
|---|---|
| Duffy Lake | 20 mi |
| Holloway Lake | 21 mi |
| Spook Lake | 24 mi |
| Blanchard Lake | 25 mi |
| Black Lake | 26 mi |
| Stevensville Reservoir | 26 mi |
| Middle Fork Lakes | 27 mi |
| North Kootenai Lake | 27 mi |
| Saint Marys Lake | 27 mi |
| McCalla Lake | 28 mi |
| South Kootenai Lake | 28 mi |
| Placid Lake | 29 mi |
Spring (March–May): Skwala stoneflies bring the first dry-fly fishing of the year on the Bitterroot and Clark Fork, typically starting in March. Spring runoff increases flows and turbidity in April–May; nymphing is productive during high water.
Summer (June–August): Prime season. Salmon flies hatch on the Blackfoot and Bitterroot in late June — the most anticipated hatch of the year. PMDs, caddis, and golden stoneflies follow through July. Evening dry-fly fishing can be exceptional. Flows drop and clear by late July, making wading easier.
Fall (September–November): Brown trout become aggressive ahead of their fall spawning run. Streamer fishing is productive on all three rivers. October brings smaller crowds and cooler temperatures. Blue-winged olives hatch on overcast days well into November.
Winter (December–February): The Clark Fork and Bitterroot remain open and fishable year-round. Midging and nymphing in slow, deep runs can produce fish on warmer days. Dress for cold; wading can be hazardous with ice.
Missoula has over a dozen fly shops offering guided trips, gear, and up-to-date fishing reports. A Montana fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older; licenses are available online at Montana FWP or at local sporting goods stores. Non-resident licenses are available for various durations.
For hiking and other outdoor activities near Missoula, see our hiking guide and the weekend itinerary.
The insects that govern Montana's rivers follow the sun and the temperature, not the calendar. A cold spring will push every hatch back by two or three weeks. A warm spring will accelerate them. These dates are guidelines, not certainties. A fisherman must learn to read the water and the air, not just the calendar.
| Insect | Peak Months | Key Rivers | Recommended Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (Chironomidae) | Year-round | Missouri, Bighorn, all tailwaters | WD-40 #22-26, Griffiths Gnat, Hi-Vis Parachute Midge |
| Capnia Stonefly | January-February | Clark Fork, Bitterroot | Small dark nymphs |
| Nemoura Stonefly | February-March | Clark Fork, Bitterroot | Small dark nymphs |
| Skwala Stonefly | February-April | Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Gallatin | Skwala Adult #8-10, Chubby Chernobyl, Plan B |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | March-May, September-November | All rivers; best on Missouri, Bitterroot | Sparkle Dun #18-22, CDC Dun, RS2 Emerger |
| Western March Brown | March-April | Clark Fork, Blackfoot | Parachute Adams #14 |
| Mother's Day Caddis | April-May | Bitterroot, Clark Fork | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 |
| Salmonfly (Pteronarcys) | Late May-June | Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone, Gallatin | Chernobyl Ant #4-6, Stimulator, Club Sandwich |
| Green Drake | June-July | Big Hole, Madison | Hi-Vis Extended Body Drake, Trina's Carnage Drake |
| Golden Stonefly | June-July | Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone | Stimulator #6-8, Elk Hair Stone, Chubby Chernobyl |
| Yellow Sally | June-July | Most freestone rivers | Yellow Stimulator #14-16 |
| Pale Morning Dun | June-August | Missouri, Gallatin, Bitterroot | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Comparadun, CDC Emerger |
| Pale Evening Dun | June-August | Most freestone rivers | Comparadun #16-18 |
| Caddis | May-October | All rivers | Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Goddard Caddis |
| Hoppers and Crickets | July-September | Madison, Yellowstone, Ruby, Big Hole | Dave's Hopper #8-10, Fat Albert, Parachute Hopper |
| Trico | July-September | Missouri, Madison, Gallatin | Trico Spinner #22-26, Two-Wing Spinner |
| Ants and Beetles | June-September | All rivers | Black Foam Ant #16-20, Beetle #16-18 |
| Spruce Moth | August-October | Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone | Galloup's Butch Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis #14 |
| Hecuba | August-September | Big Hole, Beaverhead | Hecuba Comparadun #12-14 |
| Mahogany Dun | September-October | All rivers | Comparadun #16, Split Flag |
| October Caddis | September-November | Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Bitterroot | Elk Hair Caddis #8-10, Stimulator |
The Salmonfly Hatch is the most anticipated event in western fly fishing. The giant stoneflies (Pteronarcys californica) emerge from the Madison, Big Hole, Gallatin, and Yellowstone in late May, moving upriver as water temperatures reach the low 50s F. The hatch is brief, often just two weeks on any given stretch, and it moves upstream at a rate of two to five miles per day. To fish the front of the hatch, you must move with it.
The Skwala Hatch is Montana's first major dry-fly opportunity of the year. It fires on the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and Gallatin when daytime temperatures warm and water temperatures climb above 40 F, typically late February through April. Trout that have been lethargic all winter aggressively rise to these medium-sized stoneflies.
The PMD Hatch is Montana's most reliable and widespread summer mayfly hatch. PMDs emerge in the mornings on the Missouri, Gallatin, and Bitterroot from June through August, with peak density in July. On the Missouri tailwater, PMD fishing requires long leaders, fine tippet, and an accurate upstream cast to individual rising fish.
Hopper Season is the stuff of legend. Grasshoppers become active along the banks of the Madison, Yellowstone, and Big Hole from July through September. Fish a big foam hopper pattern tight to cut banks, undercut roots, and grassy edges.
All regulations are administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). A fishing license is required for all anglers 12 and older. Regulations change annually; always verify current rules at fwp.mt.gov before fishing.
| License Type | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License | $28 | $111 |
| Conservation License (required) | $8 | $10 |
| 2-Day Fishing License | N/A | $30 |
| 10-Day Fishing License | N/A | $55 |
| Youth Annual (under 15) | Free | N/A |
The standard season for rivers and streams runs from the third Saturday in May through November 30. Many waters have special regulations that differ from the standard season.
By Montana law, any person may fish for any fish species without a license on Mother's Day weekend (May 9-10, 2026) and Father's Day weekend (June 20-21, 2026).
The following waters are open to fishing year-round under standard regulations unless otherwise noted:
Several of Montana's premier rivers have special regulations designed to protect the fishery. These include catch-and-release requirements, artificial lure restrictions, and reduced bag limits. Key examples include:
Fishing in Yellowstone National Park requires a separate YNP fishing permit, available at park visitor centers and ranger stations. Montana fishing licenses are not valid within the park boundaries.
Current river conditions are available through the following resources:
A fisherman must check conditions before driving to a river. The freestone rivers of southwest Montana can blow out overnight after a heavy rain or a warm spell that accelerates snowmelt. A river that was fishing perfectly on Tuesday can be unfishable by Thursday.